Non-traumatic spinal cord ischaemia in childhood – Clinical manifestation, neuroimaging and outcome

• Published in: European journal of paediatric neurology 2013-03, Vol.17 (2), p.176-184
• Main Authors: Stettler, Sonja, El-Koussy, Marwan, Ritter, Barbara, Boltshauser, Eugen, Jeannet, Pierre-Y, Kolditz, Petra, Meyer-Heim, Andreas, Steinlin, Maja
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Age; Anterior spinal artery syndrome; Child; Children; Clinical manifestation; Female; Humans; Infection; Intestine; Ischemia; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Neuroimaging; Neurology; Outcome; Pain; Paraplegia; Pediatrics; Quality of life; Recovery of Function; Retrospective Studies; Risk factors; Spinal cord; Spinal cord ischaemia; Spinal Cord Ischemia - complications; Spinal Cord Ischemia - etiology; Spinal Cord Ischemia - pathology; Surgery; thrombophilia; Trauma; Urinary bladder
• ISSN: 1090-3798; 1532-2130
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2012.09.002

Abstract Background Spinal cord ischaemia is rare in childhood and information on clinical presentation and outcome is scarce. Methods This is a retrospective analysis of eight patients and 75 additional cases from the literature. Data search included: patient's age, primary manifestation, risk factors, neuroimaging and outcome. Results Five female and three male patients gave consent to participate. Mean age was 12.5 years (10–15 years). Six patients presented with paraplegia; this was preceded by pain in four. Brown Sequard syndrome and quadriparesis were the two others' presenting condition. Sensation levels were thoracolumbar in seven cases. Bladder dysfunction only or bladder and bowel dysfunction were reported in eight and five patients respectively. Time to maximal symptom manifestation was